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Tonight, Sony announced PlayStation 4, their next generation video game console, at an event in New York City, which was also live streamed on their website. The company announced that the new console would allow gamers to try out new games before purchasing them, share gameplay videos with friends and watch friends play their games in a spectator mode.

Sony also revealed a redesigned Dual Shock controller with a touch pad on the front and showed off tech demos of the console's capabilities and new games like "Killzone: Shadow Fall." While Sony announced some of the hardware specs for the new PS4, they didn't show the device and provided no details about pricing.

Just after announcement, Sony sent out a press release (via Engadget) announcing a PlayStation App for iOS, which will serve as a second-screen experience app, much like Microsoft's Xbox SmartGlass.

A new application from SCE called "PlayStation®App" will enable iPhone, iPad, and Android based smartphones and tablets to become second screens. Once installed on these devices, users can, for example, see maps on their second screens when playing an adventure game, purchase PS4 games while away from home and download it directly to the console at home, or remotely watch other gamers playing on their devices.

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Previously, Sony had released an iOS app called PlayStation Official App that was only available in Europe and Australia and it allowed users to check on their gaming achievements, in the form of "trophies," and check their friends' online statuses.

It's not known when this new app will be available, whether it will cost anything or whether it will have any additional features, but more information is certain to be released as the PlayStation 4's release date gets closer. Sony announced that the PlayStation 4 would be released in the Holiday 2013 timeframe, but did not reveal pricing for the console.

macrumors 6502

I don't care about the controller's touch screen. Just make it not have awkwardly-placed thumbsticks, bad triggers, and a bad shape. The XBOX 360 has way better controllers.

The interface looks better than whatever MS can make, but I hardly know anything about it. I know that I like the PS3 interface waaaaaaaay better than the 360 interface. Wanna play a local multiplayer game? Plug in another controller. Wanna do that on an XBOX 360? D00d you need to sign in br0! Wanna play online? There, enjoy. Wanna do that on a 360? You must subscribe to XBOX Live. You want Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Copper, Helium, Germanium, or Hydrogen Phosphate? Too late, you slow, RRoD, bai.

macrumors member

It was a really big tease and they showed a lot of third party support, iOS app sounds great. I don't think they actually want to give too much away right now. They made the first move, presentation was probably one of the first I've seen from Sony that has hit all the right marks with the right people there.

It's still really early, but I think they have gotten off to a great start. I do still remember the PS3 launch.

They are giving the developers the system they want to develop on and an OS that we will enjoy using. That is more important than any spec sheet, although 8GB of GDDR5 is really something that is suppose to cost $399.

Contributing Editor

It was a really big tease and they showed a lot of third party support, iOS app sounds great. I don't think they actually want to give too much away right now. They made the first move, presentation was probably one of the first I've seen from Sony that has hit all the right marks with the right people there.

It's still really early, but I think they have gotten off to a great start. I do still remember the PS3 launch.

macrumors 68020

I don't care about the controller's touch screen. Just make it not have awkwardly-placed thumbsticks, bad triggers, and a bad shape. The XBOX 360 has way better controllers.

The interface looks better than whatever MS can make, but I hardly know anything about it. I know that I like the PS3 interface waaaaaaaay better than the 360 interface. Wanna play a local multiplayer game? Plug in another controller. Wanna do that on an XBOX 360? D00d you need to sign in br0! Wanna play online? There, enjoy. Wanna do that on a 360? You must subscribe to XBOX Live. You want Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Copper, Helium, Germanium, or Hydrogen Phosphate? Too late, you slow, RRoD, bai.

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It's funny you mention the interface. When I saw it, I was reminded of Windows 8!

macrumors 6502

It's so mind blowing if they actually showed you the console your head would explode. This was like calling a press conference about a car and showing you the steering wheel and bragging about how great it is going to be to drive, but no car.

Personally, I think it's an acknowledgement from Sony that iOS is indeed making big inroads and changes into the way people see gaming. They designed the PS4 experience specifically with mobile device integration in mind.

macrumors 6502

The Wii is on its last few years. Apple TV games will barely make a dent, if at all.

And read the thread where an Xbox creator believes that Apple TV can destroy the market. I think it's a foolish mindset as well.

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iOS games have got to be the most popular mobile games or at least extremely popular. Hardware and software-wise, the Apple TV could do everything a Wii or Wii U could do plus a lot more, but it couldn't do what a 360 or PS3 could do. Basically any game with less complicated graphics could be played on an ATV with the player's choice of Bluetooth controllers, all on the same device that runs the movies, music, and maybe TV shows on the TV.

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